Related Formula
For a cyclic thermodynamic process, the net change in internal energy is zero:
Δ Ucyclic = 0$$\Delta U_{\text{cyclic}} = 0$$
By the First Law of Thermodynamics, the total heat exchanged QT$Q_T$ equals the net work done Wₙₑₜ$W_{\text{net}}$:
QT = Wₙₑₜ = W₁ + W₂ + W₃$$Q_T = W_{\text{net}} = W_1 + W_2 + W_3$$
Core Logic
The cycle consists of three steps:
Step 1: Work in Isothermal Expansion (W₁$W_1$)
Initial state: (P₀, V₀)$(P_0, V_0)$. Final state volume: 4V₀$4V_0$.
W₁ = P₀ V₀ ln((4V₀)/(V₀)) = P₀ V₀ ln(4) = 2 P₀ V₀ ln(2)$$W_1 = P_0 V_0 \ln\left(\frac{4V_0}{V_0}\right) = P_0 V_0 \ln(4) = 2 P_0 V_0 \ln(2)$$
Also, the pressure at the end of this process is:
P₁ = (P₀ V₀)/(4V₀) = (P₀)/(4)$$P_1 = \frac{P_0 V_0}{4V_0} = \frac{P_0}{4}$$
Step 2: Work in Isobaric Compression (W₂$W_2$)
The process occurs at constant pressure P = P₁ = P₀/4$P = P_1 = P_0/4$. The volume goes from 4V₀$4V_0$ back to V₀$V_0$:
W₂ = P Δ V = (P₀)/(4) (V₀ - 4V₀) = (P₀)/(4) (-3V₀) = -0.75 P₀ V₀$$W_2 = P \Delta V = \frac{P_0}{4} (V_0 - 4V_0) = \frac{P_0}{4} (-3V_0) = -0.75 P_0 V_0$$
Step 3: Work in Isochoric Heating (W₃$W_3$)
Since the volume is held constant at V₀$V_0$, no boundary work is done:
W₃ = 0$W_3 = 0$
Step 4: Total Heat Exchanged (QT$Q_T$)
QT = Wₙₑₜ = W₁ + W₂ + W₃$$Q_T = W_{\text{net}} = W_1 + W_2 + W_3$$
QT = 2 P₀ V₀ ln(2) - 0.75 P₀ V₀ = P₀ V₀ (2ln(2) - 0.75)$$Q_T = 2 P_0 V_0 \ln(2) - 0.75 P_0 V_0 = P_0 V_0 (2\ln(2) - 0.75)$$
Pattern Recognition
In any cyclic system returning to its initial state, finding total heat is mathematically equivalent to calculating the enclosed area on a P-V diagram. Here, the isobaric step occurs at the lowest expanded pressure, resulting in a simple negative rectangular area correction subtracted from the logarithmic isothermal expansion curve.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Physics: Thermodynamics